going down for bike week in March just started looking at hotels in Daytona area and wow 250 a night? any recommendations for a first timer?

we are going to ride down to the keys for a few days does anyone have any good hotel suggestions for fair price down there?

what to see and do along the way?

 

If you want to be right in the middle of the action then you are not going to find a lot less than $250. A few miles north is Palm Coast (I winter in Palm Coast, you are only about 8 miles north of the HD dealer) there are some nice hotels. I just checked and the Fairfield Inn is showing about $100 during Bike Week. I didn’t try to book but that is on there website. As far as the Keys the further from Key West the cheaper it gets…Cheap is not the word for hotels in the Keys that time of the year. Still a nice ride.

 

Last time riding in the Keys, we stayed in a little mom and pop motel in Key Colony Beach right on the water for $100 bucks a night. The Holiday Inn Express that wasn't even close to the water was $300 bucks a night for reference. Have to get away from downtown Daytona if you want to find a reasonable room rate most likely.

 

we had a GNCC race at Palatka, Fl and stayed their about hour ride to Daytona Nice motels. but as I said need to be making reservations now

 

Skip Daytona and go directly to the Keys. Once you get to Stuart take route 76 to Port Mayaca then 441 to South Bay via Belle Glade then 27 to 997 to Homestead and U.S.1
You could detour out of Florida city to Card Sound Road and stop at Alabama Jack's and hook back up with U.S. 1 in Key Largo. Check the Big Pine motel (on Big Pine Key) for a 'reasonable' rate. It's 30 miles outside of Key West.
Mangrove Mama's is a good bar/restaurant on Sugarloaf Key and Pepe's is my favorite in KeyWest. Louie's Backyard in Key West is good also if you are lookig for some upscale dining.

 

Days Inn at Homestead we used for base camp, nothing special. Also stayed at the Coconut Cay Resort, Marathon in the Keys about 1/2 way to Keywest

 

Daytona:
The events are very spread out so being close to something is actually far from something else.
Suggest using an internet search to locate a hotel that meets your budget.
St Augustine is about 1 hour north of Daytona and riding the coast would make for a nice scenic coastal ride. It would also allow you a chance to visit the Fort in St Augustine. Rather neat fort and worth a look (1 hour). Walking the historic district almost across the street is rather nice also and worth spending ( 1 hour).
A daylight day and and one evening night are enough to get a taste of Daytona bike week.
The daylight day can be used to see vendors by Daytona Speedway track, see Daytona Harley dealer & JP Cycle store, have lunch at Ponce Inlet light house area and check-out main street. Then an evening can be used to see races at the track and visiting the Iron Horse Saloon afterwards late in the evening to see the movie like scenes.
For Key west:
You really want to be within walking distance(5 blocks) of some part of Duval street in Key West:
Depending on your budget look at Kayak or similar. Most places are a bit run down and used. At $200-225 at that time of year it is going to be on the lower end of maintained for Key West. Note some places CHARGE for parking, Some have NO parking, Some places have a light breakfast that is included.
Consider finding a place that includes a light breakfast and parking..that alone represents about $30 a day for two people.
Most of the action in Key West is located near Mallory Square and the Seaport (sunset sail boats) so that area will probably be the most expensive and the present most difficult parking. Truman Ave and Duval represent about a 15 minute walk along Duval store fronts to get to that area and most have there own parking for one vehicle.
You really need to spend at least ONE night in Key West someplace near Duval to get the full feeling. Driving in and out is a different experience.
Note that a quick search on this forum will get you more information regarding the stops along your ride down to Key west. The stops make a difference in regards to enjoyment.
For example:
Taking Card sound Road at start of Keys, stopping at Islamorada fish company for food and visiting the Outdoor world store next door, Stopping at Robbies to feed tarpons, stopping for a picture near seven mile bridge or noticing the old Flagler train track etc.

 

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Be sure to get the gator bites at the Fish Co. To die for!!!!! Awesome place to eat and actually priced reasonably compared to anywhere else in the Keys.

 

I always have breakfast at Robbie's Marina on the way down

 

Don't forget the 6 toed cats while in Key West. And another plus for Marathon. Nice, low profile Key and not a bad ride from Key West, unless you drink. If you do pony up the cash for Key West. And watch for all the chickens on the road.